Show case refrigerator



April 5, 1932. u. LARKIN 1,852,661

' snow CASE REFRIGERATOR Filed Feb. 4, 1931 Patented Apr. 5, 1932 :UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LESTER U. LARKIN', OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WARREN COMPANY,

INCORPORATED, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA refrigerators where a SHOW CASE REFRIGERATOR Application filed February 4, 1931. Serial No. 513,408.

This invention relates to improvements in show case refrigerators; and more particularly, to the problem of preventing the clouding or sweating of glass in show case plurality of such glasses are used. a 1

The prime object is to provide airtight compartments formed between the glasses with dehydrated air so that there will be '19 no moisture to collect on these glasses durpresent with the advent of the quick freez ing of foods which necessitates an extreme low temperature case. Naturally, the greater the variance in temperature between the interior of the show case and the exterior thereof, the greater the precipitation on the glasses and the greater the obscurity of vision. It has long been known that if the air between the glasses could be dehydrated and this space sealed airtight, that there would be little or no precipitation or obscurity of the glasses. Heretofore, however, this problem has remained unsolved due to the fact that air would be placed in the compartment at ordinary room temperature and of course, could only be maintained at the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere until the refrigerating unit commenced operation.

With this condition in eflect, there would, of course, occur a change 'in temperature in the show case and corresponding change in temperature in the space between the glasses. This results in acontracting of the air and the creation of a partial vacuum, which in turn causes a collapse of the Walls of the compartment and the greater the change in temperature, the greater the contraction of the air with a resulting greater vacuum. The converse is equally true with the cessation of the unit, as there will be a change from a low temperature'in the show case and compartments toward surrounding atmospheric temperature which expands the air in the compartment correspondingly. Because ofthis expansion and contraction due to a difference in the temperature, it has been necessary to permit a slight leakage between the com partment and the interior of the show case which results in moist air being present 'in the compartment and results in sweating or cloudiness of the glasses forming the compartment.

In my invention I have completely solved this problem and provide a sealed airtight compartment filled with dehydrated air which remains dehydrated so long as the compartment remains sealed.

Other objects will be disclosed in the specification and claims forming a part of this application.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the position of the airtight compartments in relation t0 the show case;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end view of the show case showing the sylphon in relation to the exterior of the show case;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken along line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detailed perspective of the compartments as a unit and Figure 5 is a detailed section taken along line 55 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings in which similar parts are designated with like numerals:

Numeral 6 designates a show case of the usual construction having doors 7 at the rear and a coil or unit 8 mounted therein. The front 9 has stop members 10, 11, 12, and 13 between which are placed plates of glass 14, 15, 16 and'17 formin compartments 18, 19 and 20, the stop mem ers 10, 11 and 12 and 13 being secured to end pieces 21 and 22 by means of screws 23 and being set in insulating material 24 such as cement or'other sealing material.

Top and bottom members 26 and 27 serve to complete the sealing of the compartments 18, 19 and 20 and likewise have stop members 28 and 29, 30 which serve to space and separate the glass 14, 15, 16 and 17. Extending from the compartments 18, 19, and 20 at the end 32 through the end wall 33 are conduits 34, 35, and 36 which in turn connect to sylphons 37, 38 and 39 which are supportedin a casing 40 on the exterior of the show case 6 by brackets 41.

As actually used, the compartments 18, 19 and 20 will be filled with dehydrated air. This may be done by taking the glasses as a unit, as shown in Figure 4, and before the same has been placed in the show case, or after it has been inserted in the show case and 10 connected up with the sylphons 37, 38, and 39 in the latter case, the dehydrated air will be placed in the compartments through the valves 42, 43 and 44 placed in the outer ends of the sylphons. Since the air is inserted through the outer ends of the sylphons, they will be filled with air the same as the compartments. After the filling operation is completed, the valves 42, 43, and 44 will be cut off and sealed. Upon the casing being cooled, the air in the compartments 18, 19

and 20 will contract, causing a partial Vacuum, which would ordinarily collapse the glasses, but in this case simply draws air from the sylphons 37, 38 and 39, which causes the same to slightly/contract.

Upon the cessation of the refrigerating operatlon, the refrigerator will warm up and in turn will aflect the air in the compartments 18, 19 and 20, causing the air therein to expand which will likewise affect the sylphons. It is obvious that under this arrangement the compartments 18, 19 and 20 between the glasses 14, 15 and 16 and 17 will be completely sealed, and dehydrated air placed therein which will do away with moisture cooling on the glasses and obstructing vision.

For purposes of illustration I have shown four glasses and three compartments, but it is obvious that two glasses and one compart- 40 ment may be utilized.

What I claim is:

1. In a show case refrigerator construction comprising a body portion, a plurality of panes of glass mounted in the front thereof to form compartments,'sa id compartments bein hermetically sealed, a conduit extending rom said compartments, and means connected to said conduit and precluding transfer of air between the atmosphere and said compartments to compensate for differences in pressure in said compartments. v

2. In a show case refrigerator construction comprising a body portion, a plurality of panes of glass mounted in the front thereofto form compartments, said compartments being hermetically sealed, conduits extending from said compartments, and sylphons connected to said conduits to expand and contract in accordance with the changes in pressure in said compartments and to prevent communication of said compartments with the atmosphere. 7

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LESTER U. LARKIN. 

